New Mexico Rep. Larry Scott was the likely winner over incumbent Sen. Steve McCutcheon in the Republican Primary Election for McCutcheon's District 42 seat in the New Mexico Senate, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
With all 43 Eddy County precincts reporting Tuesday night, Scott had 3,226 votes or about 61% of electorate, while McCutcheon had 2,058 votes, about 39%, records show.
There was no Democrat nominee for District 42 in the Primary, meaning the winner of the GOP nomination would likely run unopposed for the post in the November General Election.
Scott thanked those who supported him during the campaign, and vowed to convince those who voted against him of his merit.
"I'm grateful and humbled by that support," Scott said on election night. I appreciate the folks that supported me. For the folks that didn't support me, I'll do my best to bring them around."
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The overall vote was flipped when it came to Eddy County alone, where Carlsbad native McCutcheon won 60% of the vote to Scott's 39%. In Lea County, Scott won 74%of the vote, records show.
"I need to be spending more time with the leaders in Eddy County. It's obvious some fences need to be m Larry Scott
McCutcheon was appointed to the post last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, following the retirement of New Mexico Sen. Gay Kernan, who served the office from 2002 to 2023.
McCutcheon officially conceded on election night, thanking his supporters and campaign workers.
"I do appreciate my supporters, family and our wonderful team," McCutcheon said in a statement. "The lessons we have learned along the way are priceless and will serve well in our next adventure. I wish Larry the best in Santa Fe."
McCutcheon was recommended for the appointment by the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners, despite support from Lea and Chaves counties going to Scott. In New Mexico, legislative vacancies are filled via the governor's appointment after the county commissions within the district vote to recommend a candidate.
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Scott, a retired engineer in the oil and gas industry campaigned against McCutcheon by alleging he was appointed by the governor to divide the political base in the deep-red southeast region of New Mexico. Scott said his longtime opposition of Lujan Grisham's policies, and those of Democrats in the legislature, lost him the appointment despite support from the majority of counties in District 42.
He also contended McCutcheon lacked experience and knowledge of the oil and gas industry, a crucial segment of the state's economy that the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association reported contributed $13.9 billion to the state budget in Fiscal Year 2023. That's an essential story Scott said southeast New Mexico lawmakers must tell to their Democrat colleagues as many, he said, hope to stymie fossil fuel production via state regulations.
Throughout his campaign McCutcheon pointed to the struggles of the Republican Party, which is the minority in both the New Mexico House and Senate, arguing Scott was part of the GOP establishment that had so far failed to advance a conservative agenda.
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McCutcheon said the party needed to elect new, young leaders to help overcome its minority status, provide a fresh perspective and get more Republicans elected in both the House and Senate.
Other House and Senate results for Eddy County
Stretching across a small sliver of northern Eddy County, Senate District 32 was likely to be decided in Republican Primary. Candy Spence Ezzell was leading Chad Hamill by 105 votes according to unofficial results on Tuesday, June 4. Spence Ezzell earned 1,007 or 53% of the vote compared to 902 or 47% for Hamill.
State Rep. Jim Townsend was running unopposed for Senate District 34 after the seat was vacated by Sen. Ron Griggs. Sen. David Gallegos was running opposed for reelection to Senate District 41.
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Larry Scott poised to win Senate District 42 GOP nomination in Primary Election
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